802.11be Channels ====================== .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **What are channels in 802.11be?** Channels in 802.11be refer to frequency ranges primarily in the 6 GHz band, along with 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, used for extremely high throughput wireless communication. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **How many channels are available in 802.11be?** 802.11be supports numerous wide channels (up to 320 MHz) across 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and especially the newly opened 6 GHz band, providing tens of non-overlapping channels depending on regulatory domains. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **What frequency bands does 802.11be operate in?** It operates in the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and the newly allocated 6 GHz bands for Wi-Fi 6E and beyond. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **What is channel width in 802.11be?** Channel widths include 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, 160 MHz, and up to 320 MHz for ultra-high throughput. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **Why does 802.11be support wider channels?** Wider channels enable significantly higher data rates to support bandwidth-intensive applications like AR/VR, 8K video streaming, and cloud gaming. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **Are 802.11be channels overlapping?** With wider channel bandwidths, adjacent channel overlap is possible and managed via advanced spatial reuse and scheduling techniques. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **What determines the number of usable 802.11be channels?** Regulatory domain rules, spectrum availability (especially in 6 GHz), and coexistence requirements determine usable channels. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **What is Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) in 802.11be?** DFS detects radar and other incumbent users in shared bands, allowing APs to avoid interference by switching channels dynamically. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **Does 802.11be use Transmit Power Control (TPC)?** Yes, TPC is used to optimize transmit power to reduce interference and improve network efficiency. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **How does 802.11be handle multi-band channel operation?** It supports Multi-Link Operation (MLO), allowing devices to use multiple bands and channels simultaneously for enhanced throughput and reliability. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **Why is channel planning critical for 802.11be?** Proper planning ensures optimal use of wide channels and multiple bands while minimizing interference in dense environments. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **Are all 6 GHz channels available globally?** No, availability varies by country depending on spectrum regulations for the 6 GHz band. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **Can devices auto-select 802.11be channels?** Yes, advanced algorithms allow devices to select channels dynamically based on congestion and interference. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **What is the channel center frequency in 802.11be?** Channel center frequencies vary widely across 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz bands depending on channel width and regulatory domain. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **How are 802.11be channels numbered?** Channel numbering follows the conventions established in earlier Wi-Fi standards but extended into the 6 GHz band with higher channel numbers. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **What are typical channel widths and numbers in 802.11be?** Channels include 20, 40, 80, 160, and 320 MHz widths. Example channel numbers include 1–14 in 2.4 GHz, 36–165 in 5 GHz, and 1–233 in 6 GHz (numbers vary by regulatory domain). .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **How far apart are 802.11be channels spaced?** Standard spacing is 20 MHz for narrow channels; wider channels bond multiple contiguous 20 MHz channels. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **What is co-channel interference and how is it managed in 802.11be?** Co-channel interference occurs when devices share the same channel; 802.11be uses spatial reuse, MLO, and TPC to minimize its impact. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **How does weather affect 6 GHz channels in 802.11be?** Higher frequency 6 GHz signals are more susceptible to attenuation by walls and rain compared to 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **Why is the 6 GHz band important for 802.11be?** It offers large swaths of contiguous spectrum enabling extremely high data rates and reduced congestion. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **What is the typical indoor range for 802.11be?** Depending on frequency band and environment, typical indoor range can vary from 30 meters (6 GHz) to 50+ meters (2.4 GHz). .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **Can 802.11be channels be used outdoors?** Usage outdoors depends on regional regulations, power limits, and coexistence rules especially in the 6 GHz band. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **What happens if two APs use the same 802.11be channel?** They must share airtime, potentially causing contention, but advanced MAC features help mitigate throughput loss. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **What tools assist with 802.11be channel planning?** Spectrum analyzers, Wi-Fi 6E compatible scanners, network controllers, and AI-driven RF management tools. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow Topics in this section, * :ref:`List of channels ` * :ref:`List of channel widths ` * :ref:`List of Bands ` * :ref:`Reference links ` .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 2.4 GHz Channels for 802.11be ===================== ======================= ====================== ============== Channel Number (MHz) Center Frequency (MHz) Frequency Range DFS Required ===================== ======================= ====================== ============== 1 2412 2401 – 2423 No 2 2417 2406 – 2428 No 3 2422 2411 – 2433 No 4 2427 2416 – 2438 No 5 2432 2421 – 2443 No 6 2437 2426 – 2448 No 7 2442 2431 – 2453 No 8 2447 2436 – 2458 No 9 2452 2441 – 2463 No 10 2457 2446 – 2468 No 11 2462 2451 – 2473 No 12 2467 2456 – 2478 No (region dependent) 13 2472 2461 – 2483 No (region dependent) 14 2484 2473 – 2495 No (Japan only) ===================== ======================= ====================== ============== .. tab-item:: 5 GHz Channels for 802.11be ===================== ======================= ====================== ============== Channel Number (MHz) Center Frequency (MHz) Frequency Range DFS Required ===================== ======================= ====================== ============== 36 5180 5170 – 5190 No 40 5200 5190 – 5210 No 44 5220 5210 – 5230 No 48 5240 5230 – 5250 No 52 5260 5250 – 5270 Yes 56 5280 5270 – 5290 Yes 60 5300 5290 – 5310 Yes 64 5320 5310 – 5330 Yes 100 5500 5490 – 5510 Yes 104 5520 5510 – 5530 Yes 108 5540 5530 – 5550 Yes 112 5560 5550 – 5570 Yes 116 5580 5570 – 5590 Yes 120 5600 5590 – 5610 Yes 124 5620 5610 – 5630 Yes 128 5640 5630 – 5650 Yes 132 5660 5650 – 5670 Yes 136 5680 5670 – 5690 Yes 140 5700 5690 – 5710 Yes 144 5720 5710 – 5730 Yes 149 5745 5735 – 5755 No 153 5765 5755 – 5775 No 157 5785 5775 – 5795 No 161 5805 5795 – 5815 No 165 5825 5815 – 5835 No ===================== ======================= ====================== ============== .. tab-item:: 6 GHz Channels for 802.11be ===================== ======================= ====================== ============== Channel Number (MHz) Center Frequency (MHz) Frequency Range DFS Required ===================== ======================= ====================== ============== 1 5955 5945 – 5965 No 5 5975 5965 – 5985 No 9 5995 5985 – 6005 No 13 6015 6005 – 6025 No 17 6035 6025 – 6045 No 21 6055 6045 – 6065 No 25 6075 6065 – 6085 No 29 6095 6085 – 6105 No 33 6115 6105 – 6125 No 37 6135 6125 – 6145 No 41 6155 6145 – 6165 No 45 6175 6165 – 6185 No 49 6195 6185 – 6205 No 53 6215 6205 – 6225 No 57 6235 6225 – 6245 No 61 6255 6245 – 6265 No 65 6275 6265 – 6285 No 69 6295 6285 – 6305 No 73 6315 6305 – 6325 No 77 6335 6325 – 6345 No 81 6355 6345 – 6365 No 85 6375 6365 – 6385 No 89 6395 6385 – 6405 No 93 6415 6405 – 6425 No 97 6435 6425 – 6445 No 101 6455 6445 – 6465 No 105 6475 6465 – 6485 No 109 6495 6485 – 6505 No 113 6515 6505 – 6525 No 117 6535 6525 – 6545 No 121 6555 6545 – 6565 No 125 6575 6565 – 6585 No 129 6595 6585 – 6605 No 133 6615 6605 – 6625 No 137 6635 6625 – 6645 No 141 6655 6645 – 6665 No 145 6675 6665 – 6685 No 149 6695 6685 – 6705 No 153 6715 6705 – 6725 No 157 6735 6725 – 6745 No 161 6755 6745 – 6765 No 165 6775 6765 – 6785 No 169 6795 6785 – 6805 No 173 6815 6805 – 6825 No 177 6835 6825 – 6845 No 181 6855 6845 – 6865 No 185 6875 6865 – 6885 No 189 6895 6885 – 6905 No 193 6915 6905 – 6925 No 197 6935 6925 – 6945 No 201 6955 6945 – 6965 No 205 6975 6965 – 6985 No 209 6995 6985 – 7005 No 213 7015 7005 – 7025 No 217 7035 7025 – 7045 No 221 7055 7045 – 7065 No 225 7075 7065 – 7085 No 229 7095 7085 – 7105 No 233 7115 7105 – 7125 No ===================== ======================= ====================== ============== .. _channels_step5: .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: List of channel widths * channel widths .. _channels_step6: .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: List of Bands ======================= ====================== ====================== ============================================================ Band Name Frequency Range (GHz) Frequency Range (MHz) Channels ======================= ====================== ====================== ============================================================ 2.4 GHz Band 2.400 – 2.485 2400 – 2485 1 – 14 (region dependent) UNII-1 5.150 – 5.250 5150 – 5250 36, 40, 44, 48 UNII-2 (DFS) 5.250 – 5.350 5250 – 5350 52, 56, 60, 64 UNII-2 Extended (DFS) 5.470 – 5.725 5470 – 5725 100, 104, 108, 112, 116, 120, 124, 128, 132, 136, 140, 144 UNII-3 5.725 – 5.825 5725 – 5825 149, 153, 157, 161, 165 6 GHz Band 5.925 – 7.125 5925 – 7125 1 – 233 (20 MHz channels) ======================= ====================== ====================== ============================================================ .. _channels_step17: .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: Reference links * Reference links